saintz08

Saints' company line can't cut it this year

Tuesday January 13, 2004

John DeShazier

The fire remains in the belly. No major overhaul is needed. The team is so close to advancing to the playoffs, it can smell the ticket sales.

Stop me if you've heard this before from the Saints, if you're sick of hearing it, or both.

After all, such words and optimism are so routine from a team that has mastered the art of mediocrity, it's impossible to ignore the strong sense of déjÃÂÂÂ* vu. We, and the franchise, have been there. We, and the franchise, have done that.

It's hard not to reflect on the Saints' answers during their 2003 exit exam -- and not exactly gain a sense of security from them -- while watching playoff games that again don't involve the New Orleans franchise, featuring teams that somehow have managed to figure out that "something" that eludes the Saints' grasp like a shadow.

The Saints finished 8-8 -- same as Cincinnati, but a totally different feel. The Bengals have the sweet scent of optimism as they look to ascend. The Saints again managed to sour most of the good feelings that were heaped on them before and during the season.

Reality is the team hasn't improved where it counts under Coach Jim Haslett since a magical first season, when it won a division title and the first playoff game in franchise history.

There's been an upgrade in personnel, a downgrade in victories. Since going 11-7 in 2000, which seems like an Ice Age ago, the Saints have been as average as average can be -- 24 wins and 24 losses in 48 games, good enough to stay in the playoff race until the last week or two, bad enough to screw it up when it really counts.

Reality is that when players begin questioning the professionalism of teammates -- as quarterback :o Aaron Brooks and running back Deuce McAllister did -- the problem goes beyond personnel. It goes beyond whether the fire remains in Haslett's belly, or whether wholesale or cosmetic changes are required.

These broken Saints are Haslett's production. True, he has a general manager (Mickey Loomis) and director of player personnel (Rick Mueller) who purportedly are his equals in the front-office pecking order. But given Haslett's background as an NFL player and assistant coach, one can't seriously believe he's going to yield ground on personnel moves to men who have less experience in the field that has shaped his life.

Which means it's probably time for owner Tom Benson to hire someone to whom Haslett will defer -- a role that has gone unfilled since Randy Mueller was fired prior to the 2002 season -- since coaches who double as personnel men rarely are effectively at both. Because no one wants to see something that began so well go bad as Haslett enters a time frame (his fifth season) in which sports marriages often end or begin to crumble.

Tony Dungy, Dan Reeves, Bill Callahan, Dennis Green and Steve Mariucci were fired after accomplishing more with Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota and San Francisco, respectively.

New Orleans pines for the kind of success those coaches helped generate. It looks longingly at the NFL's final four and wonders, why not the Saints? Because each seemingly had its share of warts, too.

Indianapolis, with its shoddy playoff reputation, has marched through opponents. New England, which has been battered and bruised all season, managed to produce enough big plays to win 13 games in a row and reach the AFC championship game against the Colts.

Philadelphia was 0-2 behind a quarterback who seemed to be completing more passes to opponents than teammates. Carolina, Philly's opponent for the NFC crown, was considered more lucky than good until the goodness kept happening.

Those four have their sights set on the Super Bowl. The Saints have "fire" and no plans to make major changes.

No need to stop me if you've heard it before. I'll stop myself.

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